Empire opened in 2005 and was closed by owner Nick
Kotrides in 2014. The two-story restaurant was built at the
corner of Norwalk Avenue on a site that was vacant after a fire about
2011.
2015 photo courtesy ofBuffalo
Rising

Upon walking in, it’s
hard not to notice the giant mural that depicts downtown Buffalo during
its heyday. After taking in the mural for a few minutes, we walked up
to the bar, which is now front and center in the middle of the
restaurant. The giant elliptical bar allows plenty of customers to
belly up for a drink. Positioning the bar in the middle of the
establishment was a brilliant move, as it emphasizes socialization –
something that was missing back in the Empire days.

Upon walking in, it’s
hard not to notice the giant mural that depicts downtown Buffalo during
its heyday. After taking in the mural for a few minutes, we walked up
to the bar, which is now front and center in the middle of the
restaurant. The giant elliptical bar allows plenty of customers to
belly up for a drink. Positioning the bar in the middle of the
establishment was a brilliant move, as it emphasizes socialization –
something that was missing back in the Empire days. [See mural
photos below}

While the bar plays a
predominant role in the reincarnation of the building, there are still
plenty of places to grab food at MAC’s. The upstairs dining area
features a large patio, similar to what we see at Pearl Street Grill
and Brewery in Downtown Buffalo. The mezzanine allows diners to connect
with the activity below, without being overwhelmed by the activity and
the noise. The balcony also offers up a nice spot for musicians to play.

MAC’s is a
large
restaurant, to be sure. It’s unlike anything else that you will find in
North Buffalo, which should bode well for Bohn and his crew.